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Year 7 English

Autumn Term

week 1

Lesson 1

Past simple verbs and capital letters

Past simple verbs and capital lettersIn this lesson, we will introduce past tense verbs and how to use capital letters. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

Lesson 2

Subject verb agreement

Subject verb agreementIn this lesson, we will introduce the verb 'to be' and the subject of a sentence. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

Lesson 3

Capital letters and irregular verbs

Capital letters and irregular verbsIn this lesson, we will develop our capital letter use and introduce irregular verbs. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

week 2

Lesson 1

Creative Writing: Figurative Language

Creative Writing: Figurative LanguageIn this lesson, we will be thinking about how we can ensure a reader enjoys our writing. We will be thinking about how we can make the sentences we write even better through sentence structure and figurative writing. We will then complete the activity this unit has been building towards: writing our own short stories.

Lesson 2

Creative Writing (poetry): Personification

Creative Writing (poetry): PersonificationIn this lesson, we will introduce personification and practise using personification in our own writing.

Lesson 3

Creative Writing: Simile and Metaphor

Creative Writing: Simile and MetaphorIn this lesson, we will introduce simile and metaphor and practise using these techniques in our own writing.

week 3

Lesson 1

Starting sentences with 'and'

Starting sentences with 'and'In this lesson, we will develop understanding of capital letters and introduce prepositions. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

Lesson 2

When it happened

When it happenedIn this lesson, we will develop understanding of past tense and learn how to join sentences with 'and'. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

Lesson 3

Capitalising 'I'

Capitalising 'I'In this lesson, we will develop understanding of capital letter use and complete sentences. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

week 4

Lesson 1

Avoiding run-on sentences

Avoiding run-on sentencesIn this lesson, we will introduce the concept of run-on sentences and consolidate capital letter knowledge. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

Lesson 2

Avoiding fragments

Avoiding fragmentsIn this lesson, we will introduce the concept of fragments and learn how to punctuate speech. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

Lesson 3

Independent clauses

Independent clausesIn this lesson, we will introduce the concept of independent clauses. We will then apply that knowledge in a piece of creative writing.

week 5

Lesson 1

Punctuating speech correctly

Punctuating speech correctlyIn this lesson, we will learn about the difference between direct speech and indirect speech and how to punctuate direct speech correctly.

Lesson 2

Direct speech: Varying punctuation and dialogue tags

Direct speech: Varying punctuation and dialogue tagsIn this lesson, we will learn how to vary our punctuation marks in direct speech. We will also develop our understanding of how we can vary our dialogue tags for effect.

Lesson 3

Direct speech: Moving dialogue tags and using pronouns

Direct speech: Moving dialogue tags and using pronounsIn this lesson, we will practise moving our dialogue tags from the beginning to the end of our sentences. We will also look at how using pronouns can prevent our direct speech writing from being repetitive and confusing.

week 6

Lesson 1

Creative Writing: Narrative structure

Creative Writing: Narrative structureIn this lesson, we will be thinking about the narrative structure of short stories. We will learn all about Freytag's 'narrative pyramid' and the hooks writers use to engage their readers.

Lesson 2

Creative Writing: Developing Character

Creative Writing: Developing CharacterIn this lesson, we will be looking at different character types before creating a biography for our own characters!

Lesson 3

Crafting Creative Writing

Crafting Creative WritingIn this lesson, we will use all our knowledge from the previous lessons on sentences to look at how we create our own stories. We will start by thinking about different genre choices.

week 7

Lesson 1

Creating a story opening

Creating a story openingIn this lesson, we will look at how we start a story. We will look closely at how we might use subordinate clauses at the start of a story to hook a reader and provide lots of information. Then we will get to write the opening of our own stories!

Lesson 2

Introducing a character

Introducing a characterIn this lesson, we will create our fantasy character. We will to look at how pronouns and noun phrases help us create character details. Then we will get to create our fantasy heroes for our stories.

Lesson 3

Revealing a problem

Revealing a problemIn this lesson, we will use our knowledge of speech and dialogue to think about the problem our character might face. We will get the chance to decide what the problem is in our story and who is going to reveal that problem to our hero.

Spring Term

week 1

Lesson 1

Rule and Order

Rule and OrderIn this lesson, we will explore the theme of rule and order in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. We will look at Theseus' role as the Duke of Athens.

Lesson 2

The Structure of Comedy

The Structure of ComedyIn this lesson, we will explore who Shakespeare is, the differences between plays and novels, and the structure of a Shakespearean comedy.

Lesson 3

Conflict and Patriarchy

Conflict and PatriarchyIn this lesson, we will look at the conflict between Egeus and Hermia, and the idea of patriarchy. We will learn about the struggles that Hermia faces.

week 2

Lesson 1

Love and Unrequited Love

Love and Unrequited LoveIn this lesson, we will determine who the four lovers are and most importantly who loves whom, introduce the idea of unrequited love, and explore a monologue.

Lesson 2

Love in Conflict

Love in ConflictIn this lesson, we will look at Lysander and Hermia's dilemma. We will explore the difficulties they face and their crossroads.

Lesson 3

Understanding Helena

Understanding HelenaIn this lesson, we will learn about how Helena truly feels and how this leads her to make a drastic decision! We will also introduce the idea of metaphor whilst looking at Helena's monologue.

week 3

Lesson 1

Introducing the magical setting

Introducing the magical settingIn this lesson, we will introduce the magical forest and explore how it is a contrast to ancient Athens. We will explore the King and Queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania, and their argumentative relationship wherein Oberon will seek revenge using a potion.

Lesson 2

The Web of Lovers

Lesson 3

The Power of Magic

The Power of MagicIn this lesson, we will explore the character of Puck, our mischievous fairy, who is a prankster. In his not-so-responsible hands, we will explore how he has been instructed to use the love potion.

week 4

Lesson 1

Puck's Mistake

Puck's MistakeIn this lesson, we will be looking at Puck's dramatic mistake and its consequences upon the lovers. We will focus on the audience reaction and comic value of both Puck's mistake and Lysander's melodramatic statements as he tries to comprehend his love.

Lesson 2

The Trickery of Love

The Trickery of LoveIn this lesson, we will look at the fool which is Bottom. We will explore the height of Shakespeare's comedy in one of the most infamous events of the play. We will look at how the love potion causes ridiculous, but highly humorous, actions through Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony.

Lesson 3

The Power of Love

The Power of LoveIn this lesson, we will explore the reactions of the lovers. We will explore how dramatic irony is used to add to the comic value of the play. We will look at Demetrius' suffering at the mercy of Hermia's words and how this is comparable to Helena. Also, we will see how Puck's mischief continues.

week 5

Lesson 1

Love and Arguments

Love and ArgumentsIn this lesson, we will explore the verbal and physical conflict between the four lovers. We will explore the comical element of the insults whilst also recognising the chaos which has been caused by our mischievous fairy. The timeless nature of Shakespeare will also be addressed.

Lesson 2

Restoring Order

Restoring OrderIn this lesson, we will explore how Oberon wants to fix the chaos, confusion and conflict. We will look at how he helps the four lovers in a way that ancient Athens cannot. Also, we will look at how he plans to fix Titania and Bottom.

Lesson 3

The Clash of the Settings

The Clash of the SettingsIn this lesson, we will explore the contrasting settings and how the magical forest changes Hermia and Lysander's future completely. We will look at how, despite Egeus' attempt to enforce the 'law', love can triumph thanks to the fairies intervention: disorder creates order.

week 6

Lesson 1

The Weddings

The WeddingsIn this lesson, we will look at whether the play ultimately has a happy ending. We will also explore the play's content as a Shakespearean comedy.

Lesson 2

Puck and The Fairy Ending

Puck and The Fairy EndingIn this lesson, we will look at the ultimate ending of the play. We will explore when the play could have ended with key speeches and suggest why Shakespeare resolved to end it how he did.

Summer Term

week 1

Lesson 1

Narrative writing: What makes a good opening?

Narrative writing: What makes a good opening? | Oak National AcademyIn this lesson, we will define exactly what the ingredients of a narrative piece are before moving on to examine how to write an effective opening. In order to do this, we'll look at the example of George Orwell's '1984' as well as reviewing the opening from our set text Samphire. You'll then have an opportunity to plan a narrative and write your own opening paragraph to try out your learning from the session.

Lesson 2

Narrative writing: Creating movement in our writing

Narrative writing: Creating movement in our writing | Oak National AcademyIn this lesson, we will continue with our narrative writing response, looking in particular at how to make design choices that will give texture to our writing and create a sense of movement in our work. We'll be using an extract from Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' as a model as well as returning to our set text, 'Samphire' by Patrick O'Brian.

Lesson 3

Narrative writing: Effective endings

Narrative writing: Effective endings | Oak National AcademyIn this lesson, we will focus on how to write effective endings and consider some of the choices we can make as writers. We will do this by reviewing the ending of our set text, 'Samphire' by Patrick O'Brian, and experimenting with how we can alter meaning. We will then have the opportunity to review our writing across the unit as a whole before designing our own conclusion.

week 2

Lesson 1

Writing skills: Responding to a setting stimulus image

Writing skills: Responding to a setting stimulus image | Oak National AcademyIn this lesson, we will revisit the techniques we have explored for both descriptive and narrative writing by looking at a setting-based stimulus of images linked to our story of the week, 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad. We'll work together to first of all mimic Conrad's extract and produce a descriptive opening. Then, we'll try and write three different narrative openings and reflect on which one achieves the strongest impact on a reader.

Lesson 2

Writing skills: Responding to a person stimulus image

Writing skills: Responding to a person stimulus image | Oak National AcademyIn this lesson, we will use a stimulus image will start our thinking process and gather some initial ideas. We'll then be looking at developing our understanding of characterisation by examining Kurtz from our text, 'Heart of Darkness', and linking him to various literary models. We'll read a passage from 'Heart of Darkness' as stimulus and then have the opportunity to plan out a response using a photo montage technique.

Lesson 3

Writing skills: Using symbolism

Writing skills: Using symbolism | Oak National AcademyIn this lesson, we will explore how symbolism can be used in our writing. We will start by looking at some potential symbols to help generate our initial ideas. Then, we will look at how one of these symbols has been used by a student in a piece of writing, before returning to our own work and developing our ideas further.

week 3

Lesson 1

Writing skills: A writing process

Writing skills: A writing process | Oak National AcademyIn this lesson, we will review all of our learning on developing our creative writing responses by looking at a new text, 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells, and a stimulus image. We'll be breaking this down into a 'process' for approaching our written work - think, plan, draft, critique, write - which will hopefully be a routine you can apply to your work in the future.